This is a guest post by Mike Tennant sharing productivity tips with us through this post and currently works at Air-N-Water.com.
Whether you work at home, freelance from the local coffee shop or run a Fortune 500 business, we all face the same problems over the summer months. Every year as the weather gets warmer, it becomes more and more difficult to get things done. It’s just increasingly difficult to be productive during the summer.
For me, it all goes back to my days in school, when I’d spend all year looking forward to summer break. And with good reason too, as those fun summer days were typically filled with friends, pools, the ballpark and sometimes even the beach.
Unfortunately, I’ve been forced to grow up since then. That means instead of shooting hoops at the park or riding my bike around the neighborhood, I have to be productive and get things done over the summer.
I’m sure I’m not alone here. This is a problem for anyone – who like me – finds themselves staring longingly out the window every afternoon.
Below are some important keys for getting things done over the lazy days of summer. Like the best productivity tips out there, these are all just as appropriate for the stay at home mom as they are for the Fortune 500 CEO. Read on if you need to turn your daydreaming into doing:
1. Create A Comfortable Work Environment.
It’s hard enough working when you know the weather is warm and sunny outside that being uncomfortable while trying to get things done is nearly impossible. If you work from home, find a room that fits your preferred climate. Obviously, if you prefer a warmer climate you shouldn’t sit next to the air conditioner. Comfort is not just climate control, however. Make sure that you have a comfortable place to sit and work. Take the time to adjust your chair so it’s in the most comfortable position possible that still allows you to get work done.
2. Make A Plan
This isn’t purely a summer-only tactic, but it remains important regardless. As most of us have learned by now, failing to plan is planning to fail. With the longer daylight hours and shorter attention spans, it becomes even more important to plan out everything you want to get done – working, going to the ballgame, picnics with the family, etc. You don’t want to chance getting stuck crunching on an assignment or article while everyone else enjoys a summer BBQ.
3. Take Advantage Of The Longer Days
As opposed to the short days of winter, summer affords more time to both enjoy the weather and get work done. Plan your day accordingly, and take advantage of the added sunlight at the end of the day to get both your work and leisure activities in. Try waking up earlier to take advantage of the early morning hours. This will give you more sunlight at the end of the day with which to play. Whether that means hitting the gym early, or just getting an early start on your email, it’ll pay dividends at the end of the day when you’re home free and the sun is still shining.
4. Avoid Scheduling Important Meetings For Fridays And Mondays
During the summer months, Mondays and Fridays are the most difficult day to get things done, so don’t try to force it. That’s not to say you should just take two more days off every week. Rather, try to schedule important meetings and calls for midweek, when you know everyone will be more focused and attentive to the task at hand. If scheduling a Monday or Friday meeting is inevitable, stay away from Monday mornings and Friday afternoons if at all possible. That at least gives you a fighting chance to get something accomplished.
5. Go Distraction-Free
I know I get easily distracted over the summer months, so I have to essentially block myself off from the outside world when it’s time to get to work and I easily avoid distractions. Listening to music works well for some, but be careful because that can also become a distraction. If you’re in a crowded office, a great trick when you really need to buckle down is to wear your headphones or ear buds without actually listening to music. This will keep people from approaching you unless it’s really necessary, and will also help muffle surrounding noise.
6. Take Breaks And Enjoy The Weather
One of the best ways to refocus your mind is to take a complete break from the action for a few minutes. Typically, this will help you refresh and refocus on the task at hand. Being summertime, you shouldn’t find it difficult to force yourself away from the desk and outside for a few minutes.
That’s it..If you have more productivity tips for the lazy summers then just share it with using the comment form below.
Great tips!
I really liked ‘Avoid Scheduling Important Meetings For Fridays And Mondays’ as I also find Mondays and Fridays distracting.
I also cannot work when there is noise, so your advice regarding headphones or ear buds is fantastic.
Kindest,
Nabeel
I like #4 Fred! Had not considered the impact of the end and beginning of the week as unproductive. I guess it is really.
I have this problem nearly all year around. What I have started to do is take regular breaks form writing. Write a little, leave it, come back and do some more, take a break and then come back.
Works for me. 🙂
I think it’s important to set some sort of schedule like you said. Time management is key.
Good tips Mike. I definitely agree with going distraction free. I find that I work best when my cell phone is off, instant messenger is off, and personal email is not open or notifications are turned off there as well. I go into my home office and close the door and concentrate on what needs to be done. There’s no better days than those where I can completely concentrate on the work at hand. And then when I am satisfied.. I take a break 🙂
Keep up the guest posts.. They are really good.
I completely agree with number 6. Take some breaks and enjoy the weather. Really, most people are exhausting themselves to achieve something, but what they don’t know is the more they drain themselves, the harder for them to get what they want.
I always limit myself to just work maximum of 3 hrs. per day, whether I finished everything or not. If not, then I’ll just simply turn my pc off and continue doing it tomorrow. Avoid working for 8 hrs. a day in front of your pc, as you will feel the exhaustion after several weeks or months, then you don’t have the energy and get tired to finish everything.
Kind regards,
Gary
These are all common productivity tips. But the question is: have you actually done them? Use these list as your personal checklist. Day by day check which items you have done and which haven’t. Concentrate on doing these 5 things everyday.
I love these! Productivity while working from home is difficult enough to come by, but in the summer time it’s even worse.
I have been doing much better when making a plan (and writing it down) so I can attest that that’s a great strategy.
Good list!
Tia
I so love these productivity tips I have to admit these post is so good. I like the part about making a plan to maximize productivity and also the working environment should be comfortable.
These are great tips. With kids out of school during the summer, it is even harder to get some work done. Balancing the necessity of work and entertaining the children can be done if your days are planned accordingly. I like to get my big projects done early in the morning or in the evening – after I have had time at the pool with the kids.